Friday commute could be hit by snowball

Portlands cold weather is about to add a dash of snow. The National Weather Service reports that snow could fall at higher elevations around the Portland area after 5 a.m. Friday, with some areas seeing a snow/freezing rain mix just in time for Friday mornings commute.

After that, a southern wind will boost temperatures, turning snow to rain by the end of the day.

I would plan for a slow and possibly slick commute Friday morning, says Steve Pierce, with Northwest Weather Consultants in Clark County, Wash. All valley locations will be out of the snow threat by the afternoon commute. Tis the season, so enjoy.

The National Weather Service reports that the wintry mix should shift between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. Before 11 a.m., however, two to four inches of snow could fall in the Southern Washington Cascades and the Portland-area foothills.

Pierce says that weather models show low-level winds being light in areas from the Columbia River north into Vancouver and Clark County, which would prolong the snow and sleet until late morning in those locations. Portlands southern region could escape snow, he says.